This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Dec 14-15

The Christmas season is all about giving back to the ones you love, respect and treasure in your life — and that often means, hmm, shopping, yes, but also spending quality time with them. Well, this weekend, there's plenty of opportunities to do both. Take your favorite people out to an exhibition, a local matsuri, a Christmas market or go see a fun Christmas musical together. Enjoy!

The Sound of Music

Broadway Christmas Wonderland 2019

Filled with everything festive about the Christmas holidays, this breathtaking production fit for the whole family lets you experience Christmas music performed by superb singers, accompanied by delightful dancing, magnificent scenery, exquisite costumes, figure skating, and a classic chorus line. If you haven't quite been feeling Christmas-y this season, this show will give you all the holiday feels.

Date

SAT, DEC 14 - WED, DEC 25, 2019

Time

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Location

TOKYU THEATER ORB, 1F SHIBUYA HIKARIE 2-21-1 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥6,800-¥9,800

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A GENKI BOOST

More Info

The Best Of The Festive Season

World Christmas Festival

If you’re a bit of a Christmas addict and can’t get enough of the festive season, then Tokyo has the event for you. The World Christmas Festival runs two weekends before Christmas and it’s wholesome holiday fun for the entire family. Featuring culturally diverse food, music and events in Yoyogi Park, the festival is a celebration of Christmas in its many unique shapes and styles.

Date

SAT, DEC 14-SUN, DEC 15, 2019

Time

10 A.M.-7 P.M.

Location

YOYOGI PARK, 2-1 YOYOGIKAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Art & About

Xmas Art Festa 2019

"Ginza galleries," a voluntary organization consisting of 26 galleries in the Ginza area, is hosting a special festive event for art lovers. Xmas Art Festa will have each participating gallery run special exhibitions which showcase various artworks, from museum-class masterpieces such as Renoir to lesser-known works, and traditional pictures or potteries to contemporary arts.

Date

NOW THROUGH SAT, DEC. 14, 2019

Time

VARIOUS (DEPENDS ON EACH GALLERY'S BUSINESS HOURS)

Location

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: ARTISTS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Samurai Festival

Winter Gishimatsuri

This special festival commemorates 47 loyal "ronin" (solo samurai) who took the head of the man responsible for the death of their former master to the grave where he lay. After they paid their respects they gave their money to the temple and then left to surrender to the authorities. Pay your own respects to history with a fascinating day of events including a graveside ceremony, a ritual tea ceremony, and a memorial service.

Date

SAT, DEC 14, 2019

Time

11 A.M.-1 P.M.

Location

SENGAKUJI, 2-11-1 TAKANAWA, MINATO, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: JAPANESE HISTORY FANS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Trendy Supplies

Bungujoshi Stationery Festival

This one's for all you stationery lovers out there. If you’re looking to refreshen your office or school supplies for the new year, this event is the best place to do it. The Bungujoshi Stationery Festival is the biggest stationery festival in Japan with over 50,000 items from 120 companies to check out. As well as offers from big-name brands and artisan suppliers, there will also be a variety of limited edition items and brand new creations to discover too.

Date

THU, DEC 12-SUN, DEC 15, 2019

Time

10 A.M.-5 P.M.

Location

TRC FIRST EXHIBITION HALL A-D HALL, 6-1-1 HEIWAJIMA, OTA, TOKYO

Fee

¥650 ENTRY

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: STATIONARY LOVERS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Digital Creativity

Mutek JP 2019

Mutek is a global art and music festival that celebrates digital creativity in sound, music, and audio-visual art. It's been held over 110 events in 43 different cities and 20 countries since 2002. Japan first joined the Mutek family in 2016 and will again this year invite guests to see a variety of amazing performances that bring together sound and digital art by artists from all over the world. Purchase tickets in advance online.

Date

WED, DEC 11-SUN, DEC 15, 2019

Time

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Location

VARIOUS IN SHIBUYA (SEE WEBSITE)

Fee

¥23,000 (5 DAY PASSPORT) ¥3,500-¥10,000 (INDIVIDUAL SHOWS)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Treasure Hunt

Setagaya Boroichi Flea Market

A "rag market" that traces its roots back to 438 years ago, the Boroichi flea market is a true treasure-hunting spot that offers something for everyone. Held biannually in January and December near Setagaya station, the market offers an impressive lineup of over 700 stalls selling various keepsakes from kimono and clothing to pottery, handicrafts, souvenirs, toys and, of course, food.

Date

SUN, DEC. 15-MON, DEC. 16, 2019

Time

9 A.M.-8 P.M.

Location

BOROICHI-DORI STREET, SETAGAYA 1-CHOME, SETAGAYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: BARGAIN HUNTERS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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New Shoes Cure the Blues

Hanakawado Hakidaoreichi Shoe Market

Good shoes can take a girl to good places, they say, and we couldn't agree more. This week, come out to find your new pair of shoes, anything from athletic to formal. Hanakawado's shoe market is held every year, gathering all shoe stores in the Asakusa area to sell their best products at very affordable prices. And just in case you're looking for things other than shoes, worry not—there will be cheap but great quality bags, wallets, and other goodies, too.

Date

SAT, DEC. 14-SUN, DEC. 15, 2019

Time

10 A.M.-5 P.M.

Location

HANAKAWADO PARK, 2-4-15 HANAKAWADO, TAITO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: SHOE LOVERS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS

More Info

Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo

For a full list of illuminations around Tokyo, see this article.